PHP Program

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP Program) is the highest level of outpatient mental health and addiction treatment available, providing 5 to 6 hours of structured clinical care per day without requiring an overnight stay. If you do not have prior knowledge of how to seek a suitable treatment for your mental health or addiction problem, it is easy to fall into the dilemma of which outpatient treatment is right for you. Patients tend to directly enter into PHP after completing their detoxification or inpatient treatment. In most cases, PHP requires the patient to be available for treatment on a daily basis. The main difference is that more of the patient’s time is required each day compared to the IOP.

At Overland IOP in Los Angeles, CA, we provide our top-rated PHP. Why do patients choose us?

• 6 hours a day, 5 days a week PHP with a flexible schedule
• In-person & virtual appointments
• Morning, noon & evening Tracks
• Most insurance accepted

PHP programs have significant amounts of individual and group therapy where they are taught better coping mechanisms to deal with their stress as alternatives to turning to alcohol and drug abuse for solace or self-medication. It is with regard to the fact that PHP is sometimes referred to as day treatment, to capture the idea that a patient will be receiving care on a nearly full-time basis during the day and allowed to go home in the evenings.

The difference between an IOP and a PHP is subtle but important. The program that’s right for you will depend on many factors, including whether you’ve been in treatment before and whether you have a strong support system at home. The most important difference between IOP and PHP is that

• Our PHP programs are 6 hours a day, 5 days per week. 
• Our IOP programs are 3 hours a day, 3-5 days a week.

If you need FREE help, please contact the National Helpline about mental and substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.

Good — I have the full page. The page is fairly thin on content, which makes FAQs even more critical for this URL. Here’s the full deliverable with geo-targeted PHP queries:

FAQs about Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP Programs)

Q1: What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Los Angeles?

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Los Angeles is a structured outpatient treatment program that provides intensive daily therapy for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Unlike inpatient care, PHP allows patients to return home each evening while receiving 5 to 6 hours of clinical programming per day, typically 5 days per week. PHP is classified as Level 2.5 under the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria — more intensive than an IOP but less restrictive than residential treatment. At Overland IOP in Los Angeles, our PHP program is located at 3415 Overland Ave, serving patients from across the greater Los Angeles area including Culver City, Santa Monica, West LA, and the Westside.

Q2: How is PHP different from IOP in California?

The main difference between PHP and IOP in California is the intensity of treatment. PHP programs typically meet 5 to 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, and include closer clinical monitoring — making them appropriate for patients with more acute symptoms or those stepping down directly from inpatient care. IOP programs meet for about 3 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week, offering more flexibility for patients who are clinically stable enough to manage work, school, or family responsibilities during treatment. At Overland IOP in Los Angeles, our PHP runs 6 hours per day and our IOP runs 3 hours per day — and patients can step between levels of care as their symptoms improve or change.

Q3: Who qualifies for PHP treatment in Los Angeles?

PHP is designed for adults who need daily structured outpatient care but do not require 24-hour supervision. In California, good candidates for PHP typically include patients stepping down from an inpatient hospital stay or detox program, individuals experiencing acute mental health symptoms such as severe depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation that interfere with daily functioning, and people with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions who need intensive clinical support. Most insurance plans require a clinical assessment demonstrating medical necessity before authorizing PHP. At Overland IOP, our admissions team conducts a comprehensive evaluation and works with your insurance provider to determine whether PHP or IOP is the right fit.

Q4: Does insurance cover PHP programs in California?

Yes, most major private insurance plans in California cover Partial Hospitalization Programs when medical necessity is established through a clinical assessment. Coverage typically requires prior authorization and may include periodic utilization reviews. Under California’s Mental Health Parity Act and the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, insurance companies are required to cover mental health and substance use treatment at the same level as medical and surgical care. Overland IOP in Los Angeles accepts most major insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Shield of California, Optum, Kaiser, TRICARE, SAG-AFTRA, and others. Call (800) 530-3100 to verify your benefits before admission. CMS — Mental Health Parity

Q5: What does a typical day in PHP look like?

At Overland IOP in Los Angeles, a typical PHP day lasts approximately 6 hours and includes a structured combination of group therapy, individual therapy, psychoeducational workshops, and skill-building sessions. Group therapy focuses on coping strategies, emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and interpersonal skills. Individual sessions address personalized treatment goals with a licensed clinician. Medication management is available when clinically appropriate. Patients attend programming during the day and return home each evening, which is why PHP is often referred to as “day treatment.” This structure provides intensive daily support while allowing patients to maintain their home environment and support systems.

Q6: How long does a PHP program last in Los Angeles?

PHP programs in Los Angeles typically last 2 to 4 weeks, though the exact duration depends on the patient’s diagnosis, symptom severity, treatment progress, and insurance authorization. Some patients with more complex or co-occurring conditions may attend PHP for longer before stepping down to IOP. At Overland IOP, your clinical team conducts regular progress reviews and coordinates with your insurance provider to ensure you receive the appropriate length of treatment. When you are ready, you can transition from PHP to our IOP program — which meets 3 hours per day — to continue your recovery with a lighter schedule.

Q7: Can I attend PHP in Los Angeles for both mental health and addiction?

Yes. Overland IOP in Los Angeles offers PHP for both mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including dual diagnosis treatment for patients with co-occurring conditions. Our clinical team treats adults with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, alcohol addiction, opioid addiction, methamphetamine addiction, and other substance use conditions. PHP provides the daily intensity needed to address both the mental health and addiction components simultaneously — which research shows produces significantly better outcomes than treating each condition separately. Treatment includes individual therapy, group therapy, evidence-based modalities like CBT and DBT, medication management, and case management. NIMH — Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders